Postgame Quotes: Suns vs. Jazz - April 24, 2012

"We just got to play better. In a game like this you’ve just got to play better. We kept hanging around and then we got it to 73-74 and we had several opportunities to go ahead. We just didn’t play very good tonight. You can’t afford to not play well in a game like this. You’ve got to give them credit. At the end of the game, I thought Al (Jefferson) stepped up and Paul (Millsap) played well. They did a good job overall on our screen and rolls tonight I thought. They kind of took Marcin Gortat out of the game."

(On the Jazz playing Millsap at the three position)

"It’s tough but you need to be able to punish them on the other end. Millsap is not accustomed to guarding the three man. Coming off screens and things like that you have to take advantage of that. We never really took advantage of that. So him being in the game on their offensive end becomes problematic because he is a post-up guy he can step outside and shoot jumpers. But then you also have Favors and Jefferson in there so rebounding wise we got really hurt on that."

"It’s tough. We found a way to put ourselves in this position. We started slow, no one gave us a chance when we were 12-19 and really didn’t have any answers. It could have went the other way. I’m really proud of the coaches and the team. We hung in there and found a way to make it work together and gave ourselves a shot."

(On the game)

"We didn’t play great or deserve it tonight. We didn’t shoot the ball well. We turned it over a little bit too much and their bigs gave us a real hard time. We didn’t deserve it tonight. Without Channing (Frye) and Grant (Hill) it was just too much to ask."

"I am going to take the blame for that. I should finish stronger just played smarter and make the right decision. I was just rushing everything. My teammates were open on the wing I should have kicked it to the wing make sure they got the shot."

(On Al Jefferson)

"Quite sure we did a pretty good job on Al Jefferson in the first three quarters. All of a sudden in the fourth quarter he woke up and started scoring like crazy. That was probably the biggest problem in the last five minutes."

"That’s who we are. We need everybody that we have. The guys have been great all year supporting each other, making the right plays. I’ve changed the lineups and rotations at different times, the guys just come out and play and make the most of the minutes on the floor. We’re going to need that to continue to get better."

(On making the playoffs)

"It sounds great, man. You know, it’s a credit to these guys. The coaching staff did a great job. The assistant coaches were super in getting us ready for every game and the players responded to everything, the guys stayed together. It’s a tremendous achievement for a group of guys that laid it out there every night. Whatever happened, good or bad, they stayed together. That’s the most rewarding thing to see them be rewarded for all the hard work they put in."

"’m proud of the guys. It was a must-win situation tonight and the guys really responded (with) a full 48 minutes. It was a tough game for us, but I’m proud of the way the guys responded when our backs were against the wall. We came out fighting and we’ve got a great accomplishment."

(On the possible playoff opponent, San Antonio or Oklahoma City)

"They are both very good teams, they’re one and two for a reason. San Antonio is playing really great right now and Oklahoma City speaks for themselves with deep playoff runs the last couple of years. We’ll finish up this last game and focus on that and whoever we play we’ll be ready to go."